How to Hold a Backyard Reception

Weddings are expensive any way you look at it. Renting a venue for the reception and then having catered meals is one of the most expensive elements of a wedding celebration. To make things more personal, as well as cut back on that budget, a backyard reception is a lovely choice. Here's how to put it all together.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tables
• Decorations
• Food
• Lights
• Heaters (optional)
• Linens and table settings
• Entertainment

How Much Space do You Need?

1. Look at your space options. Who has the best backyard for an event? You? Your fiance? Your parents? Grandparents? You want a space that is large enough to accommodate your guests comfortably as well as provide room for additional areas for the band, dancing and the appetizer bar.
2. Determine your table configuration and draw out a map of where everything will be placed. Write down decoration ideas. If you have large trees you can hang streamers from them. Rose bushes are beautiful on their own but you could always add bows if you want. The options are endless. If you have a pool, you should consider your guests and decide whether or not you'll need to put up a short barrier so that no one falls in the pool (small children, elderly and drunken guests).
3. Decide what to do about food. You can have a catering company come in or a restaurant that does catering but you can do it yourself with the help of family and friends. You could have a good old fashioned BBQ! You also need to figure out details about the cake or whatever dessert it is that you will be serving (cupcakes, cookies, ice cream bar).
4. Set up an area for dancing. If you have an all grass backyard you might consider buying or renting a hard flooring surface so your guests won't get their shoes dirty. If you have a good sized concrete area that is still open you can designate that as the dance floor.
5. Determine the time of the ceremony. If it's in the evening, or will extend into the evening hours, you should consider purchasing or borrowing some lighting. Good old fashioned Christmas lights can do wonders as far as providing some extra light and beautiful decor. If it's going to be cold, you might consider getting some space heaters to keep guests warm.
6. Decide on the entertainment (a DJ, band, or even just a stereo and someone switching the music). A few days before the event, clean up the house and yard; vaccum, scrub the bathrooms, prune the flowers and trees, cut the grass and clean the pool. The morning of the wedding have someone set up the tables and place the linens and settings out and then just enjoy your day!

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your house a couple days before so that everything is in place and looks nice when guests arrive.